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Saturday, December 15, 2012

ANOTHER MR. 3000

The Yankees are about the big draw, if we weren't, we wouldn't have ever
started the trend of signing big players with big contracts to come
play in New York. That big draw also brings big fans that root for big
talent and the hope to win a big championship. Reggie Jackson, Is the
perfect example. Years later there were names like Roger Clemens and then a guy named Alex Rodriguez. That's right... Alex.

It is my feeling that everything to do with Alex coming to New York had
to do with breaking the home run record. The Yankees love "records." It's my opinion... so just hear me
out.

I've always believed that the Yankees would love to once again own the
all-time home run record. Once Barry Bonds too the lead, it almost
seemed tainted and the timing was right to get Alex to New York, who, in
2004 was the best in baseball. He was the guy with the most legit shot
to break the record. The Yankees signed him, there were a lot of missed
opportunities, chaos, baggage, PEDs admission and injury attached, and
now, the Yankees are left with a broken down player and a lot of money
to pay him. Now, if this played out the way the Yankees thought it would, Alex may have broken the record by now, or at least be close and
Yankeeland would be rejoicing. But it didn't happen that way. I posed the question of if the Yankees had a "big picture" plan to have the all-time home run record return to the Bronx with Alex to my favorite Bergen record writer Pete Caldera. Here's what he said:

Pete Caldera:"Though there is a marketing angle linked to
ARod's pursuit of the All-Time Home run record, I don't think ownership was
also thinking in terms of a Yankee finally reclaiming what Ruth lost in 1974.
Even with the opt-out fiasco, Rodriguez had the fortunate timing of coming off
a monster season, with Hank Steinbrenner commanding the stage."

I even asked Marty Appel the former Yankees PR guy the same thing. Here's his answer:

Marty Appel:"It was a nice by-product of the
process, but not critical. Even if he does break the Bonds record, a lot
of those homers came with Seattle and Texas anyway. I wish the fans at
home would ease up a little on him when he fails. He's one of the
greatest players in baseball history; we ought to appreciate that more.
We see the outs with men on base, and the old time greats - we only see
their heroics. Not every at bat was on television. I know his body
language sometimes suggests, "whatever," but he really seems to work
very hard, and I admire his talent a lot."

Both interesting answers, both guys I respect tremendously... but I'm telling you... My theory is correct.

Now, they have another draw at Yankee stadium, and once again the Yankees should push it hard.
Ichiro Suzuki is currently at 2606 hits and in what's in line with every
money move they've ever made, it would benefit the Yanks have Ichiro
Suzuki for 2 years, and maybe a third if needed and bank on him getting his hits in the hopes that he breaks 3000 hits as a New York Yankee.
That's more butts in the seats, more merchandise sold and more exposure
for an already dominant team. Now, Ichiro is older these days, so 200 hits a season ain't going to be easy, but, it can be done, even if they end up signing him for a 1 year deal if the first 2 are successful. Trust me, this makes perfect sense. And yes, you're correct... the last time he hit 200 hits was in 2010. I believe it's possible, I never say never.

Suzuki is still a very talented baseball player. He was dying in Seattle
so being in New York rejuvenated him. If anything, age hasn't slowed the
man down and to be in New York with an achievement of 3000 hits one day is not only
big... it's huge... and huge for the Yankees.

If I'm the Yankees, I make sure Ichiro gets a chance to break 3000 hits in
pinstripes and I let him retire in New York, a Yankee for life. It's all
about the Yankees any way and with Ichiro... He's kind of a sure thing,
isn't he?

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